Walker announces state funds for new timber plan

Dec. 12, 2013

About Timber Trouble

Gannett Wisconsin Media’s investigative team traveled to northern Wisconsin to document the problems facing the national forest this fall. The three-part series published in October examined Wisconsin’s rich logging heritage and what many view as a squandered resource that could spur much-needed jobs. It showed how loggers and mill owners are battling ecologists trying to protect wildlife and silent sports and how advocates are struggling to shed light on the issues. See more than 100 photos, documentary videos and the stories at sheboyganpress.com/timbertrouble.

More

ADVERTISEMENT

MADISON — Gov. Scott Walker announced a new timber harvest initiative Thursday that will target the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest and kick off a plan to spur economic growth in the struggling industry.

The initial $49,000 from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. comes after complaints from loggers and forestry experts who say the 1.5 million-acre national forest is being mismanaged partially because of a shortage of federal harvest planning.

“The Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest contains a valuable resource that, right now, is underutilized – millions of feet of timber just waiting to be harvest in an environmentally sensitive, sustainable way,” Walker said in a prepared statement. “This is another way to ensure forestry remains a vibrant part of Wisconsin’s economy.”

Records showed that the U.S. Forest Service could have cut 1.3 billion board feet of wood in the past decade under its forest plan, representing $110 million in revenue. Instead, just 755 million board feet was cut.

National forest officials say a lack of federal money has limited their ability to harvest more timber in the Northwoods. Foreign competition, mechanization and volatile markets have also led to decreases in jobs tied to forest products in Wisconsin.

Mark Maley, spokesman for the WEDC, said the October report helped spur the state action.

“The three-part Gannett series outlined the fact that we have all this timber just sitting around and there’s no reason it shouldn’t be harvested,” Maley said. “There are many parties involved in a solution to this problem and WEDC needs to take the role to bring them together — the counties, industry groups, DNR and Forest Service.”

(Page 2 of 2)

Maley said the $49,000 would pay for a consultant to begin work on the stewardship plan and produce a report in the next six months. Whatever the findings, he said the harvest portion would not call for more cutting than already approved in a federal management plan issued in 2004 for the national forest.

Paul Strong, forest supervisor for Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, said the extra funding and plan were welcome signs from the state.

“The Forest Service is very pleased that WEDC has made an investment to help us more fully deliver our forest management programs,” Strong said in an email.

Walker’s office said the increased timber harvest will improve wildlife habitat, protect water quality and reduce the risk of fires.

Ecologists and environmental advocates have historically pushed back against harvest of the hardwood oak, maple and birch stands in the national forest. Many of the mature stands provide rich habitat for threatened wildlife species.

The stewardship effort will not focus entirely on harvests. A memo outlining the WEDC plan said it includes vegetation management, fire hazard reduction, habitat improvement a road and trail maintenance.

The initiative is a positive sign for the Northwoods, said Jim Schuessler, executive director of the Forest County Economic Development Partnership, a major advocate for more harvesting.

“This will allow us to identify tracts of land that haven’t been managed and address those issues,” Schuessler said. “Timber harvest is just one of the steps that will also include natural habitats.”

Schuessler said the effort would need to work in conjunction with the National Environmental Policy Act regulations, and support the full goals of the national forest.

“It’s gratifying that WEDC has responded to our pleas and work,” Schuessler said. “The bottom line is we’re all concerned about forest health and the economic health tied to the Chequamegon-Nicolet.”